Non-Qualified Investors Could Trade Rypto Under New Rules Proposed In Russia

TLDR

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Non-qualified investors in Russia may trade crypto up to 300000 rubles yearly per intermediary.
Qualified investors can trade most cryptocurrencies except privacy coins with smart contracts.
Citizens can buy crypto abroad or transfer holdings overseas with proper reporting.
Russia aims to complete the new crypto framework by July 1, 2026, with penalties in 2027.

Russia is moving toward broader access to cryptocurrencies, with new rules that could allow non-qualified investors to participate in crypto trading. The central bank has proposed a framework that permits both qualified and non-qualified individuals to buy and sell tokens under specific conditions. The proposal aims to regulate the market while expanding participation, marking a potential shift in Russia’s crypto policy ahead of the digital-ruble rollout.

New framework for qualified and non-qualified investors

The Bank of Russia has outlined rules that distinguish between qualified and non-qualified investors. Qualified individuals may trade most cryptocurrencies, excluding certain privacy coins with smart contracts designed to obscure transfers. Non-qualified investors, meanwhile, are required to pass a risk awareness test and are limited to trading some of the most liquid cryptocurrencies.

LATEST: 🇷🇺 Russia's central bank has submitted a draft proposal that would allow non-qualified investors to purchase certain cryptocurrencies after passing a knowledge test, with purchases capped at around $3,834 annually. pic.twitter.com/d44G0zgCr0
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) December 23, 2025

The proposal sets an annual trading cap of 300,000 rubles ($3,846) per non-qualified investor per licensed intermediary. Qualified investors face no such limit but must also complete the same risk awareness requirements. The framework is intended to provide safer access to cryptocurrencies while limiting excessive exposure to risk. The Bank of Russia emphasized that these measures are designed to protect retail participants while allowing broader market access.

Cross-border crypto transactions and reporting requirements

Russian citizens will be allowed to purchase cryptocurrencies on foreign exchanges using overseas bank accounts. Existing crypto holdings may also be transferred abroad using Russian intermediaries. All such activities must be reported to local tax authorities, ensuring proper oversight of cross-border crypto transactions.

The central bank indicated that the legislative framework is expected to be completed by July 1, 2026. Penalties for operating as an unlicensed intermediary in the crypto market are slated to begin in July 2027. This approach reflects the regulator’s focus on both investor protection and compliance enforcement, aiming to maintain order in a growing digital asset market.

Experimental period and transparency in crypto trading

This new proposal builds on a prior experimental framework that allowed qualified investors to trade cryptocurrencies over a three-year trial period. The Bank of Russia said the measures aim to increase market transparency and establish standards for crypto services.

Regulated access and mandatory investor awareness are central to promoting responsible market participation. The rules are intended to balance market growth with protection against fraud and excessive speculative activity. By setting clear limits and educational requirements, the framework encourages legal and structured trading practices across the domestic crypto market.

Connection to Russia’s digital-ruble rollout

The proposed crypto framework coincides with the phased introduction of Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). The digital ruble launch is scheduled for September 1, 2026. Under legislation passed earlier this year, merchants with annual revenue exceeding 120 million rubles must accept digital-ruble payments starting from that date. Mid-sized businesses have until 2027, and all remaining firms must comply by 2028.

The combined measures the digital-ruble rollout and relaxed crypto rules demonstrate Russia’s efforts to modernize its financial system while maintaining control over risks. If approved, the new rules would open cryptocurrency trading to a wider range of investors while ensuring proper regulatory oversight. They also signal the government’s intent to integrate digital assets within a structured and legal framework.